our Cross

On my way to the office this morning, I was listening to a tape on fulfilling your destiny. Theoretically, we all want to do that. I say theoretically because sometimes the cost to fulfill our destiny is sometimes greater than we are willing to pay. The speaker went on to talk about the cross that we are called to carry. Jesus had a cross to carry! It was cut for Him and Him alone. No one else could have bore that cross for it to have the effect on humanity that it did if He carried it. The writer of Hebrews says it this way when he encourages us to run with endurance the race set before each of us Heb 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. NLT

Jesus was able to go through all that He went through because He could see beyond it. He carried the cross that was cut for Him because it was His to carry. Jesus tells us in Matt 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. NLT

We all have a cross to carry or another way to say it, a destiny to fulfill. Funny thing about crosses is that everyone else’s looks easier than mine. Or nicer than mine. Mine always looks more splintery, a little more rugged, or difficult. If I had the abilities the other person has, it would be a whole lot easier. Or so our thoughts go. But the truth is that the Lord has a cross, a destiny for each of us. And the pathway to get there is one that takes us down paths that sometimes we don’t want to go but are necessary to get us to our destination. This is only possible when His will becomes our will.

What is your cross? I don’t know. Jesus needs to tell you that. But I can encourage you to embrace it and when you do, you will fulfill your destiny. It will not be a theoretical decision as much as a practical one with application.